Skin-care agent for ageing skin

ABSTRACT

Topical formulations containing one or more compounds chosen from the group (A) consisting of sterols and biochemical precursors thereof in combination with a content of one or more compounds chosen from the group (B) consisting of ubiquinones and derivatives thereof and plastoquinones and derivatives thereof.

DESCRIPTION Skincare Compositions for Ageing Skin

Skin ages as a result of endogenous, genetically determined influences.Exogenous factors, such as UV light and chemical noxae, can have acumulative effect and accelerate the natural ageing processes. Thisresults in numerous degenerative processes which lead, depending on theextent of the influencing factors, inter alia, to the followingstructural changes and damage in the dermis and epidermis (e.g. also todermatoheliosis):

a) Degeneration of the microvascular system.

b) Flaccidity and development of wrinkles, partly due to a decrease inand crosslinking of collagen, accumulation of glucosaminoglycans (basesubstance) and solar elastosis (elastin clumping).

c) Flattening of the retial cones. This is associated with the reductionin the area between the dermis and epidermis via which substances areexchanged for nutrition and purification of the epidermis.

d) Restricted regenerative turnover in the epidermis, associated withdefective development of the horny layer (disturbed hornification),leading to drying out of the skin, to roughness of the skin and tochapping of the skin.

e) Defective regulation of cell division (proliferation) and cellmaturation (differentiation) in the epidermis, which results in cellularatypia and atrophies and the loss in polarity.

f) Local hyper- and hypopigmentation and abnormal pigmentation (agespots).

The present invention relates to products for the care and prophylaxisof ageing skin, in particular skin which has been aged by light and skinwhich has been chronologically aged by endogenous mechanisms, and alsoto the treatment of damage caused by light-ageing and ageing of the skincaused endogenously, in particular of the phenomena listed under a) tof), and, preferably, to the treatment and prophylactic treatment ofwrinkles and roughness of the skin.

Products for the care, prophylaxis and treatment of skin which has beenaged by light are known per se. They comprise, for example, retinoids(vitamin A acid and/or derivatives thereof) or vitamin A and/orderivatives thereof. However, the extent of their action on thestructural damage in cases of light-ageing is limited. The use ofproducts containing vitamin A acid furthermore often causes severeerythematous skin irritations.

Also known, from DE-A-33 09 850, are cosmetic formulations containingcoenzyme Q-10, which are suitable for the treatment of skin diseases,for the prophylaxis of dystrophic and dysmetabolic states of the skinand for use on chemical and physical respiratory damage or in cases ofdelayed respiration associated with age and wear.

JP-A-58,180,410 describes the suitability of coenzyme Q-10 forcosmetics. It is said to activate skin cell metabolism and to suppressoxidation. As a result, coenzyme Q-10 has an important function in theprevention of skin damage caused by UV rays and the prevention of skinageing. The roughness of the skin of 20- to 40-year olds is improved bygiving the skin moisture.

The object of the present invention was thus to find ways of avoidingthe disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, the prophylacticeffect and the restructuring action in cases of skin ageing was to bepermanent, sustained and without the risk of side effects.

According to the invention, these objects are achieved by skincarepreparations and active substance combinations which contain sterols andbiochemical precursors thereof in combination with ubiquinones and/orplastoquinones.

The invention relates to topical formulations containing one or morecompounds chosen from the group (A) consisting of sterols andbiochemical precursors thereof in combination with a content of one ormore compounds chosen from the group (B) consisting of ubiquinones andderivatives thereof and plastoquinones and derivatives thereof.

Examples of highly suitable sterols are zoosterols, phytosterols andmycosterols.

Preferred zoosterols are cholesterol, dihydrocholesterol,7-dehydrocholesterol, lanosterol, dihydrolanosterol, spongosterol andstellasterol.

Preferred phytonterols are ergosterol, sitosterol, stigmasterol,fucosterol, brassicasterol and campesterol.

Preferred mycosterols are ergosterol, fungisterol and zymosterol.

Preferred biochemical precursors of sterols are mevalonic acid, farnesoland squalane.

Particularly preferred compounds of the group (A) are cholesterol,7-dehydrocholesterol, dihydrocholesterol, lanosterol, dihydrolanosterol,spongosterol and stellasterol.

Preferred formulations contain one, two or three compounds chosen fromthe group (A) combined with one, two or three compounds from the group(B).

The topical formulations according to the invention can be cosmetic ordermatological formulations. They are used, as are also the activesubstances, for the care and prophylaxis in cases of light-ageing andchronological skin ageing and for the treatment of light-aged skin andchronologically aged skin.

The invention also relates to the use of topical formulations containingone or more compounds chosen from the group (A) consisting of sterolsand biochemical precursors thereof in combination with a content of oneor more compounds chosen from the group (B) consisting of ubiquinonesand derivatives thereof and plastoquinones and derivatives thereof forthe care and prophylaxis in cases of light-ageing and chronological skinageing and for the treatment of light-aged skin and chronologically agedskin.

The active substance combinations according to the invention and theformulations obtainable therewith effect restructuring of light-agedskin or skin aged chronologically by endogenous mechanisms, inparticular of wrinkled, rough, dry, chapped and/or flaky skin.

The invention thus also relates to the use of the above formulations andactive substances for the purposes described, but preferably to the usefor the prophylaxis and treatment of the following symptoms a) to f), inparticular of dermatoheliosis and of chronologically aged skin:

a) Degeneration of the microvascular system.

b) Flaccidity and development of wrinkles, partly due to a decrease inand crosslinking of collagen, accumulation of glucosaminoglycans (basesubstance) and solar elastosis (elastin clumping).

c) Flattening of the retial cones. This in associated with the reductionin the area between the dermis and epidermis via which substances areexchanged for nutrition and purification of the epidermis.

d) Restricted regenerative turnover in the epidermis, associated withdefective development of the horny layer (disturbed hornification),leading to drying out of the skin, to roughness of the skin, chapping ofthe skin and flaking.

e) Defective regulation of cell division (proliferation) and cellmaturation (differentiation) in the epidermis, which results in cellularatypia and atrophies and the loss in polarity.

f) Local hyper- and hypopigmentation and abnormal pigmentation (agespots).

Particular preference is given to combinations of cholesterol withubiquinones, in particular coenzyme Q-6, Q-9 or Q-10, but in particularto combinations of cholesterol with coenzyme Q-10, to formulationstherewith, and to the uses for the above purposes.

Ubiquinones (also coenzymes Q_(n)) are a group of substances which haven isoprene units bonded in the form of a chain on their quinone ring(Q₀-Q₁₀). Ubiquinones function as electron transfer agents inbiological, mitochondrial oxidation and thus play an important role inenergy metabolism of the calls. Plastoquinones are analogous compoundsfrom the plant kingdom, which play a role in photosynthesis. Ubiquinoneshave been used for a long time in cosmetic formulations as antioxidantsfor protection of oxidation-sensitive substances against decay inducedby oxygen free radicals.

“Ubiquinones” and “plastoquinones” here also mean “ubiquinones andderivatives thereof” and “plastoquinones and derivatives thereof”.

Ubiquinones are known from the literature (for example “Römpp ChemieLexikon” [Römpp's Chemical Dictionary], Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart,New York, 9th Edition, pages 4784-4785 or “The Merck Index”, 11thEdition, Merck & Co., Inc. Rahway, N.Y., USA, Abstr. 9751 (1989)). Theyare also called mitoquinones or coenzymes Q. The number of isopreneunits in the side chain is indicated by n in the term coenzymes Q−n,wherein n is an integer. Preference is given to ubiquinones or coenzymesQ−n where n=0−12, particularly preferably n=1−12, and in particular n=6to 10. The invention thus also relates to the quinone parent substanceof ubiquinone without isoprene substituents. Other examples of novelubiquinones or derivatives thereof are alkylubicuinones, in particular6-alkylubiquinones with preferably C₁-C₁₂-alkyl radicals. Preference isgiven to decylubiquinone, in particular 6-decylubiquinone, or2,3-dimethoxy-5-methyl-6-decyl-1,4-benzoquinone.

The plastoquinones are likewise known from the literature (for example“Römpp Chemie Lexikon” [Römpp's Chemical Dictionary], Georg ThiemeVerlag, Stuttgart, New York, 9th Edition, page 3477). They are closelyrelated to the ubiquinones in structure and are also counted among theisoprenoid quinones, since they carry a side chain of isoprene units onthe quinone ring. Preferred plastoquinones are those having 0−12,particularly preferably 1−10, and in particular from 6 to 10, isopreneunits in the side chain. The invention thus also relates to the quinoneparent substance of plastoquinone without isoprene substituents.

Further examples of plastoquinones according to the invention orderivatives thereof are alkyl-plastoquinones with preferablyC₁-C₁₂-alkyl radicals. Preference is given to decylplastoquinones, inparticular 5- or 6-decylplastoquinone, or2,3-dimethyl-5-decyl-1,4-benzoquinone.

Ubiquinones function as electron transfer agents in biological,mitochondrial oxidation and thus play an important role in the energymetabolism of animal cells. Ubiquinones have been used for a long timein cosmetic formulations as antioxidants for protection ofoxidation-sensitive substances.

Plastoquinones are analogous compounds from the plant kingdom, whichplay a role in photosynthesis in the chloroplasts of plant cells. Theydiffer from ubiquinones in three substituents on the quinone ring, wherethe two methoxy groups in the ubiquinones are replaced by methyl groupsand one methyl group is replaced by a hydrogen atom. However, theisoprene units bonded in the form of a chain have the same structure(cf., for example, Pfister and Arntzen, Z. für Naturforschung C34; 996et seq., 1979).

Particular preference is given to the following active substancesaccording to the invention and combinations therewith:

coenzyme Q-10, coenzyme Q-9, coenzyme Q-8, coenzyme Q-7, coenzyme Q-6,

and

plastoquinone with 10 isoprene units (also called PQ-10, in accordancewith the IUB abbreviation PQ for plastoquinones, in the formula PQ−n, nis intended to indicate the number of isoprene units (0 to 12)), PQ-9,PQ-8, PQ-7, PQ-6.

Surprisingly, it has been found that sterols or biochemical precursorsthereof, in combination with ubiquinones and/or plastoquinones, interactin a synergistic manner in the protection against light-ageing andchronological skin ageing and in the repair of structural damage to theskin caused by light and caused endogenously, which significantlyremedies the disadvantage of the prior art.

The concentrations of sterols and biochemical precursors thereof intopical formulations are preferably between 0.01 and 99% by weight.

The concentrations of ubiquinones and/or plastoquinones in topicalformulations are preferably between 0.001 and 99% by weight.

Formulations, skincare products or dermatological preparations accordingto the invention advantageously comprise the following combinations:

0.01-10% by weight of sterols and biochemical precursors thereof and

0.001-10% by weight of ubiquinone and/or plastoquinone

Topical formulations or dermatological preparations preferably comprise

0.05-1% by weight of cholesterol

0.05-1% by weight of coenzyme Q₁₀

The formulations or dermatological preparations very particularlypreferably comprise

0.4% by weight of cholesterol

0.4% by weight of coenzyme Q₁₀

In the context of the application, percentages by weight are alwaysbased on 100% by weight of the total composition of the particularskincare preparations or dermatological formulation according to theinvention.

The active substance combinations or active substances according to theinvention can be present in the topical formulations in amounts of from0.001 to 99% by weight, for example also in amounts of from 0.001 to 50%by weight, in each case based on the total weight of the formulations.

The active substance combinations or active substances according to theinvention can preferably be present in the topical formulations inamounts of from 0.01 to 10% by weight, in particular in amounts of from0.1 to 1% by weight, in each case based on the total weight of theformulations.

The weight ratios of the two components in the combinations can varywithin wide ranges, for example in the ratio from 1:100 to 100:1,preferably in the ratio from 1:10 to 10:1. The components can also bepresent, for example, in the weight ratio from 1:2 to 2:1 or 1:1.

Topical formulations or compositions according to the inventioncontaining the combinations and active substances according to theinvention are all the customary use forms, for example creams (W/O, O/Wor W/O/W), gels, lotions or milks.

The topical formulations according to the invention can be formulated asliquid, pasty or solid formulations, for example as aqueous or alcoholicsolutions, aqueous suspensions, emulsions, ointments, creams, oils,powders or sticks. Depending on the desired formulation, the activesubstances can be incorporated into pharmaceutical and cosmetic basesfor topical applications, which comprise, as further components, forexample, oil components, fats and waxes, emulsifiers, anionic, cationic,ampholytic, zwitterionic and/or nonionic surfactants, lower mono- andpolyhydric alcohols, water, preservatives, buffer substances,thickeners, fragrances, dyestuffs and opacifying agents. The activesubstances according to the invention can also advantageously be used intransdermal therapeutic systems, in particular cubic systems.

It is furthermore advantageous to add to the formulations antioxidants(for example alpha-tocopherol, vitamin E and C, flavones, flavonoids,imidazoles, alpha-hydroxycarboxylic acids (for example malic acid,glycolic acid, gluconic acid, salicylic acid and derivatives thereof)and/or iron-complexing agents (for example EDTA and alpha-hydroxy-fattyacids) and/or known UV light protection filters, in amounts of, forexample, from 0.1 to 10 per cent by weight, in order to ensure thestability of the oxidation-sensitive active substances.

It is also advantageous to add to the formulations, in particular, from0.01-10 per cent by weight of substances or substance combinations ofaerobic cellular energy metabolism, for example cellular energy transferagents (such as creatine, guanine, guanosine, adenine, adenosine,nicotine, nicotinamide or riboflavin), coenzymes (for examplepantothenic acid, panthenol, lipoic acid or niacin), auxiliary factors(for example L-carnitine, dolichol or uridine), substrates (for examplehexoses, pentoses or fatty acids) and intermediate metabolism products(for example citric acid or pyruvate) and/or glutathione.

It is also advantageous to add to the formulations penetrationpromotors, in particular oleic acid, cis-6-hexadecenoic acid orpalmtoleic acid. Penetration promotors can be present in theformulations in amounts of from 0.01% by weight to 1.0% by weight.

It is also advantageous to add ceramides to the formulations. They maybe present in the formulations in amounts of from 0.01% by weight to5.0% by weight.

Formulations according to the invention can furthermore advantageouslycomprise substances which absorb UV radiation in the UVA and/or in theUVB region, the total amount of filter substances being, for example,from 0.1% by weight to 30% by weight, preferably from 0.5 to 10% byweight, in particular from 1.0 to 6.00% by weight, based on the totalweight of the formulations, to provide cosmetic formulations whichprotect the skin from the entire region of ultraviolet radiation. Theycan also be used as sunscreens for the skin. In the formulations, the UVabsorbers act as antioxidants with respect to the active substances.

If the emulsions according to the invention comprise UVB filtersubstances, these can be oil-soluble or water-soluble. Examples ofoil-soluble UVB filters which are advantageous according to theinvention are: 3-benylidenecamphor derivatives, preferably3-(4-methylbenzylidene)camphor and 3-benzylidenecamphor.

Examples of advantageous water-soluble UVB filters are: salts of2-phenylbenzimidazole-5-sulphonic acid, such as its sodium, potassium orits triethanolammonium salt, and the sulphonic acid itself.

It may also be advantageous to combine active substance combinationsaccording to the invention with UVA filters which have hitherto usuallybeen present in cosmetic formulations. These substances are preferablyderivatives of dibenzoylmethane, in particular1-(4′-tert-butylphenyl)-3-(4′-methoxyphenyl)propane-1,3-dione and1-phenyl-3-(4′-isopropylphenyl)propane-1,3-dione. These combinations andformulations which comprise these combinations are also provided by theinvention. The amounts used for the UVB combination can be employed.

The invention thus also relates to the combinations of the activesubstances according to the invention, in particular in the topicalformulations, with antioxidants, substances of aerobic cellular energymetabolism and/or UV absorbers, with which, for example, the stabilityand the action of the formulation can be improved.

The abovementioned examples of active substances which can be combinedfrom the stated groups of active substances serve to describe theinvention, without the intention being to limit the invention to theseexamples.

It is moreover possible to use protective formulation forms, thesubstances according to the invention being enclosed (encapsulated), forexample, in liposomes, micelles, nanospheres, etc. of, for example,hydrogenated amphiphiles, such as, for example, ceramides, fatty acids,sphingomyelin and phosphoglycerides, or in cyclodextrans. Furtherprotection can be achieved by the use of protective gas (for example N₂,CO₂) during formulation and the use of gas-tight packaging.

Further auxiliaries and additives may be water-binding substances,thickeners, fillers, perfume, dyes, emulsifiers, active substances suchas vitamins, preservatives, water and/or salts.

During processing of the active substances and other oxidation-sensitivesubstances, the temperature should not exceed 40° C. The customaryrules, which are known to the person skilled in the art, are otherwiseto be observed.

The substance groups according to the invention can thus be incorporatedinto all cosmetic bases. In principle, however, W/O, O/W and W/O/Wemulsions are preferred. Combinations according to the invention can beparticularly advantageously employed in care products such as, forexample, O/W creams, W/O creams, O/W lotions, W/O lotions, etc.

The invention also relates to the combinations of the active substancesaccording to the invention.

Unless stated otherwise, all the quantity data, percentage data or partsare based on the weight, in particular on the total weight of theformulations or of the particular mixture.

The following examples serve to describe the invention, without theintention being to limit the invention to these examples.

Combination A B C D E F Cholesterol 50 50 10 90 60 50 Coenzyme Q₉ — 25 —— — 40 Coenzyme Q₁₀ 50 25 90 10 40 10 100 100 100 100 100 100

The parts and numerical data are based on parts by weight.

EXAMPLE I With Combination A

W/O skin cream Parts by weight Vaseline DAB 9 13 Glycerol DAE 9 6.3Water, deionized 34.4 Paraffin oil 31 (Mineral oil 5R, Shell) Cetearylalcohol/PEG 40 2.5 castor oil/sodiuim cetearyl sulphate (Emulgade F,Henkel KGaA)

0.3 part of coenzyme Q₁₀, dissolved in 3 parts of paraffin oil, isincorporated into the fat phase, which has been heated to 75° C. The fatphase is then added to the aqueous phase, which has been heated to 75°C., and the mixture in stirred and homogenized until a homogeneous paleyellow cream has formed. 0.3 part of cholesterol is dissolved in afurther 3.2 parts of paraffin oil at room temperature and the solutionis stirred into the cooled cream.

Example I has the following final composition:

Parts by weight Vaseline DAB 9 13 Glycerol DAB 9 6.3 Water, deionised34.4 Paraffin oil 43.2 (Mineral oil 5E, Shell) Cetearyl alcohol/PEG 40castor 2.5 oil/sodium cetearyl sulphate (Emulgade F, Henkel KGaA)Cholesterol 0.3 Coenzyme Q₁₀ 0.3 100

Example II With Combination B

W/O skin cream Parts by weight PEG 1-glyceryl oleostearate + 8 paraffinwax Vaseline DAB 2.8 Paraffin wax/paraffin 1.8 Ceresin 2.2Octyldodecanol 10 (Eutanol G, Henkel KGaA) Propylene glycol 1 Glycerol 1Magnesium sulphate 0.7 Water, deionized 59.7 Total additives (perfume,0.8 preservation, stabilization)

0.2 part of coenzyme Q₁₀ and 0.2 part of coenzyme Q₉, dissolved in 6parts of paraffin oil, are incorporated into the fat phase, which hasbeen heated to 75° C. The fat phase is then added to the aqueous phase,which has been heated to 75° C., and the mixture is stirred andhomogenized until a homogeneous pale yellow cream has formed. 0.4 partof cholesterol are dissolved in a further 5.5 parts of paraffin oil, atroom temperature, and the solution is stirred into the cooled cream.

Example II has the following final composition:

Parts by weight PEG 1-glyceryl oleostearate + 8 paraffin wax VaselineDAB 2.8 paraffin wax/paraffin 1.8 Paraffin oil 11.5 (Mineral oil 5E,Shell) Ceresin 2.2 Octyldodecanol 10 Cholesterol 0.4 Coenzyme Q₉ 0.2Coenzyme Q₁₀ 0.2 Propylene glycol 1 Glycerol 1 Magnesium sulphate 0.7Water, deionized 59.4 Total additives (perfume, 0.8 preservative,stabilization) 100

Example III With Combination C

O/W skin cream Parts by weight Octyldodecanol 9.3 (Eutanol G, HenkelKGaA) Cetearyl alcohol/PEG 40 castor 3.7 oil/sodium cetearyl sulphate(Emulgade F, Henkel KGaA) Water, deionized 73.7 Glycerol DAB 9 4.6

0.9 part of coenzyme Q₁₀, dissolved in 4 parts of paraffin oil, isincorporated into the fat phase, which has been heated to 75° C. The fatphase is then added to the aqueous phase, which has been heated to 75°C., and the mixture is stirred and homogenized until a homogeneous paleyellow cream has formed. 0.1 part of cholesterol is dissolved in afurther 3.7 parts of paraffin oil at room temperature and the solutionis stirred into the cooled cream.

Example III has the following final composition:

Parts by weight Octyldodecanol 9.3 (Eutanol G, Henkel KGaA) Cetearylalcohol/PEG 40 castor 3.7 oil/sodium cetearyl sulphate (Emulgade F,Henkel KGaA) Water, deionized 73.7 Glycerol DAB 9 4.6 Paraffin oil 7.7(Mineral oil 5E, Shell) Coenzyme Q₁₀ 0.9 Cholesterol 0.1 100

Example IV With Combination D

O/W lotion Parts by weight Steareth-2 3 Steareth-21 2 Cetearylalcohol/PEG 40 castor 2.5 oil/sodium cetearyl sulphate (Emulgade F,Henkel KGaA) Propylene glycol 1 Glycerol 1 Water, deionized 74.3 Totaladditives (perfume, 0.8 preservative, stabilization)

0.1 part of coenzyme Q₁₀, dissolved in 5.2 parts of paraffin oil, isincorporated into the fat phase, which has been heated to 75° C. The fatphase is then added to the aqueous phase, which has been heated to 75°C., and the mixture is stirred and homogenized until a homogeneous paleyellow lotion has formed. 0.9 part of cholesterol is dissolved in afurther 9 parts of paraffin oil at room temperature and the solution isstirred into the cooled lotion.

Example IV has the following final composition:

Parts by weight Steareth-2 3 Steareth-21 2 Cetearyl alcohol/PEG 40castor 2.5 oil/sodium cetearyl sulphate (Emulgade F, Henkel KGaA)Paraffin oil 14.4 (Mineral oil 5E, Shell) Propylene glycol 1 CoenzymeQ₁₀ 0.1 Cholesterol 0.9 Glycerol 1 Water, deionized 74.3 Total additives(perfume, 0.8 preservative, stabilization) 100

Example V With Combination E

O/W lotion Parts by weight Octyldodecanol 5.6 (Eutanol G, Henkel KGaA)Cetearyl alcohol/PEG 40 castor 8.9 oil/sodium cetearyl sulphate(Emulgade F, Henkel KGaA) Cetearyl isononanoate 7.5 (Cetiol 5N, HenkelKGaA) Water, deionized 62.3 Glycerol DAB 9 4.7

0.4 part of coenzyme Q₁₀, dissolved in 6 parts of paraffin oil, isincorporated into the fat phase, which has been heated to 75° C. The fatphase is then added to the aqueous phase, which has been heated to 75°C., and the mixture is stirred and homogenized until a homogeneous paleyellow lotion has formed. 0.6 part of cholesterol are dissolved in afurther 4 parts of paraffin oil at room temperature and the solution isstirred into the cooled lotion.

Example V has the following final composition:

Parts by weight Octyldodecanol 5.6 (Eutanol G, Henkel KGaA) Cetearylalcohol/TEG 40 castor 8.9 oil/sodium cetearyl sulphate (Emulgade F,Henkel KGaA) Cetearyl isononanoate 7.5 (Cetiol 5N, Henkel KGaA) Water,deionized 62.3 Glycerol DAB 9 4.7 Paraffin oil 10 (mineral oil 5E,Shell) Coenzyme Q₁₀ 0.4 Cholesterol 0.6 100

Example VI With Combination F

Skin oil Parts by weight Glyceryl tricaprylate 21 (Miglyol 812, DynamitNobel) Hexyl laurate 20 (Cetiol A, Henkel KGaA) Octyl stearate 20(Cetiol 886, Henkel KGaA) Paraffin oil 35 (Mineral oil 5E, Shell)Cholesterol 2 Coenzyme Q₉ 1.6 Coenzyme Q₁₀ 0.4 100 The components arestirred at 25° C. until a homogeneous, clear mixture has formed.

The components are stirred at 25° C. until a homogeneous, clear mixturehas formed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for the prophylaxis of light-ageing andchronological skin ageing and for the treatment of light-aged skin andchronologically aged skin which comprises applying to the skin of apatient in need thereof a cosmetic or dermatological compositioncontaining one or more compounds (A) selected from the group consistingof sterols in combination with (B) one or more compounds selected fromthe group consisting of ubiquinones and derivatives thereof andplastoquinones and derivatives thereof.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein said composition comprises one, two or three compounds fromgroup (A) combined with one, two or three compounds from group (B). 3.The method of claim 1, wherein said composition comprises zoosterols. 4.The method of claim 1, wherein said composition comprises at least oneubiquinone.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein said composition comprisescholesterol.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the ubiquinones orplastoquinones have from 0 to 12 isoprene units and optionally alkylradicals.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the ubiquinones orplastoquinones have 9 or 10 isoprene units.
 8. The method of claim 1,wherein said composition comprises antioxidants, substances of aerobiccellular energy metabolism, UV absorbers, or a combination thereof. 9.The method of claim 1, wherein said composition is in the form of an oilor a W/O, O/W or W/O/W emulsion.